Automatic feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

Automatic animal feeding apparatus including a feeding portion, a feed supplying portion, and a feed control portion; the feeding portion including a plurality of feeding stations, the feed control portion including a light source and a plurality of spaced sensing mechanisms associated therewith at each of the feeding stations, the sensing mechanism being capable of being activated by light supplied from the light source, mechanism associated with an animal for diverting light from the light source with respect to the sensing mechanism in a predetermined pattern, the sensing mechanism being capable of transmitting signals to deciphering mechanism located closely adjacent to the sensing mechanism at each feeding station, at least two of the sensing mechanisms detecting proper orientation of the animal associated mechanism with the sensing mechanism, an odd number of the sensing mechanisms in addition to the orientation detecting sensing mechanism detecting an identification pattern of a particular animal, the deciphering mechanism of each of the feed control portions being connected electrically with deciphering mechanism of all other feeding stations and with interrogating mechanism, the interrogating mechanism sequentially searching each of the deciphering mechanisms, memory mechanism, mechanism for comparing signals from the interrogating mechanism with the memory mechanism, mechanism for selectively activating feed transfer mechanism, recording mechanism for compiling a log of feed material offered.

This invention relates to a novel feeding apparatus and moreparticularly relates to a new apparatus for feeding animals.

Many years ago, it was customary to feed animals simply by placing thefood on the ground or in a pan or bucket. While this arrangement issatisfactory for a single animal, problems can arise when more than oneanimal is being fed. For example, one of the animals may be moreaggressive and eat not only his own share but also that of the otheranimals. If an animal does not receive an adequate feed ration, it willnot grow properly. Furthermore, failure to eat is a common way for ananimal owner to detect at an early stage whether an animal is sick.However, if a number of animals are being fed together, their ownercannot readily detect if one of the animals is not eating and is sicksince the food would always be eaten if not by one animal then another.

As animal raising has become more scientific, animal owners haveattempted to keep a record of the productivity of each animal. In thisway, a farmer or rancher can determine which animals are leastproductive and these animals can be sold or slaughtered. It isrelatively easy to weigh an animal periodically to determine its weightgain or to keep a record of the milk a cow gives and thus determine theoutput of the animal. However, it is much more difficult to determinethe intake of an animal, that is, the quantity of food eaten by aparticular animal where a large number of animals are involved.

One way to keep a record of the feed an animal eats is to feed eachanimal in an individual closed stall. However, with cattle, horses orother animals that are kept in fenced areas it is difficult to determinethe feed consumed by each animal. Generally, ranchers simply observetheir animals occasionally as they are eating and if they are eatingnormally when observed, the ranchers assume that the same eatingpatterns are taking place at the times the animals are not beingobserved. At best, this is a haphazard and inaccurate way of determiningfeeding habits and amounts consumed. Furthermore, it is a very nebulousbasis on which to decide which animals to keep and which to eliminatefrom a herd.

It has been proposed to utilize automatic feeding systems to provide away to control the feed received by each animal. One system utilizes acomputer to control a number of individual feeding stations. Eachfeeding station has a sensor which can detect or read the code on thetag hanging from the neck of each animal. A signal is sent by the sensorto the computer which is programmed to deliver a given amount of feed inincrements to a particular animal each day or fraction thereof. Thecomputer also is programmed to record the quantity of feed delivered toa particular animal standing at the feeding station. Thus, the computercan make available to a rancher a record of how much feed a given animalhas eaten on a particular day. Such a record can provide a sound factualbasis for deciding which animals are least productive and thus should beeliminated from a herd.

Although the above animal feeding system in theory appears to provide auseful way of keeping records of feed consumed by an animal, in practicethe system may not function in a trouble free manner. The successfuloperation of the system requires that the system properly identify theanimal at the feed station. If the system does not properly identifyeach animal, the errors will result in the animals being fed the wrongquantities of food. Thus, the feeding system may be no better thansimple non-regulated feeding.

The failure of the automatic feeding system may be due to the sensorbeing unable to pick up the identity of a particular animal. If thesystem does not sense that an animal is waiting to be fed, the animalmay wait at the feed station and not only not be fed but also willprevent other animals from being fed. On the other hand, if the systemidentifies an animal incorrectly, one animal will get another animal'sfeed ration and the second animal will not receive the food to which itis entitled. Unfortunately, the animal owner will not be aware of themisfeeding and will assume that the second animal did not request itscomplete feed ration.

Further problems with some automatic feeding systems may be inprogramming and recording functions. Ordinarily, the programming andrecording apparatus must be placed close to the feeding stations. Thismay require that the feeding stations be located closer together thandesired. Alternatively, systems may require extra programmers andrecorders for individual stations or separate groups of stations. Such arequirement will of necessity add considerably to the cost of a systemwhich includes a large number of feeding stations. Thus, it may benecessary for the animal owner to make the rounds of a number ofprogrammers and recorders located at different locations. In addition,with such systems, the collected data may have to be collated to providea master report of the feeding activities of a herd.

The present invention provides a novel animal feeding apparatus whichautomatically delivers feed to animals at a large number of feedingstations at widely spaced locations. The feeding apparatus provides aprogramming function for selecting a feeding schedule for eachindividual animal. Also, the apparatus provides a recording function forlogging the feed received by each animal during a given time period. Theprogramming and recording functions as well as the operating controls ofthe feeding apparatus may be located at a point remote from the feedingstations. In addition, the apparatus can collect and corrolateinformation from a large number of feeding stations at widely spacedlocations.

The feeding apparatus of the invention provides a high degree ofaccuracy both in detecting an animal awaiting feeding and in identifyinga particular animal. The apparatus further provides a high degree ofreliability in the furnishing of feeding records to the owner of theanimals.

The animal feeding apparatus of the present invention is simple indesign. The apparatus can be fabricated from commercially availablematerials and components using conventional manufacturing techniques.The feeding apparatus of the invention can be installed easily either asa part of new facilities or with feeding areas presently in use.

Other benefits and advantages of the novel feeding apparatus of thepresent invention will be apparent from the following description andthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one form of animal feedingapparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view in section of the feedingapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the animal tag andsensing portion of the feeding apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an animal identification tag of the feedingapparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of the animal identifying portion witha tag in position of the feeding apparatus shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the identifying portion of FIG. 5 with aschematic diagram of one form of an electrical circuit of the feedingapparatus.

As shown in the drawings, one form of the novel automatic animal feedingapparatus 11 of the invention includes a feeding portion 12, a feedsupplying portion 13 and a feed control portion 14. The feeding portion12 includes at least one feeding station and preferably a plurality offeeding stations 16. Each feeding station 16 includes a trough member17.

The feed supplying portion 13 includes feed storage means shown ashoppers 18. Hoppers 18 may be associated with one or more feedingstations 16 as desired. Transfer means shown as auger 19 is associatedwith the feed storage means and is capable of conveying feed material 20contained in hopper 18 to the feed trough member 17.

Feed control portion 14 is operatively connected to the feedtransferring auger 19. The feed control portion 14 includes animalidentifying means 22. The animal identifying means 22 includes a lightsource 23. Also, the identifying means 22 includes a plurality of spacedsensing elements 24. The sensing elements 24 are located adjacent tolight source 23. As shown in the drawings, the light source 23 and thesensing elements 24 advantageously are disposed below and adjacent tothe feed trough member 17. The light source 23 and the sensing elements24 preferably are arranged with their active surfaces disposed in agenerally vertical plane.

Advantageously, the light source 23 and the sensing elements 24 areassociated in a unitary structure. The sensing elements may extendthrough openings 25 in a plate member 26. Likewise, light source 23advantageously may be disposed behind an opening 27 in plate member 26.The opening 27 is adjacent to the sensing elements 24. Preferably, thesensing elements 24 are uniformly spaced in a pattern such as thehorizontal row shown in the drawings. Orienting means such as magnet 29may be mounted on the plate member 26 adjacent the light source 23 andsensing elements 24.

FIG. 6 illustrates one form of electrical circuitry suitable for theanimal feeding apparatus 11 of the drawings. Sensing elements 24 areconnected to deciphering means located closely adjacent to the sensingelements. The deciphering means shown as an addressable asynchronousreceiver/transmitter 30 has a timing oscillator 31 connected thereto.The receiver/transmitter 30 also is connected with an address selectorswitch 32 and a relay 33. The relay 33 is connected with auger 19. Thecomponents are energized with a power supply 34.

The receiver/transmitter 30 is connected with the receiver/transmitters(not shown) of other feeding stations 16 by a single pair of lead wires.One of the feeding stations 16 is connected to control means 35including a memory section 37, an interrogating section 39, a comparisonsection 41 and a recording section 42. The connection between thecontrol means 35 and the feeding stations 16 is a serial port connectionalso with a single pair of lead wires.

The memory section 37 of the control means 35 is capable of receivingand storing an animal feeding schedule which can be entered through akeyboard 38. The interrogating section 39 of the control means 35 iscapable of addressing each of the feeding station receiver/transmitters30. The comparison section 41 is capable of comparing a signal receivedfrom the interrogating section 39 with the feeding schedule entered inthe memory section 37. The recording section 42 may include a displaysection 43 and a record reproducing means 44.

The control means 35 advantageously includes a nonvolatile memorysection 37 that is battery powered. This maintains the feeding scheduleand log in the event of a power failure.

In the use of the novel animal feeding apparatus of the invention shownin the drawings, the animals to be fed have identifying means such astags 50. Each tag 50 is coded, for example, by cutting notches 51 alongan edge such as the bottom edge thereof. The notches 51 are sized andspaced to align with the sensing elements 24. The notches on the tag ofeach animal are different to provide an identification of the respectiveanimal.

The memory section 37 previously has had a feeding schedule enteredtherein. This schedule will include the quantities of feed that theowner wishes each particular animal to receive during a given timeperiod, e.g. 12 hours.

As an animal approaches one of the feeding stations and places its headinto trough member 17, tag 50 which may include a magnet 52 is drawnagainst the sensing elements 24 by magnet 29 on the face of the platemember 26 adjacent to the sensing elements 24. The two magnets 29 and 52draw the tags into proper alignment with the sensing elements. In thisposition, two sensing elements 24, preferably the end sensing elements,check alignment of the tag.

The operation of the feeding apparatus 11 of the invention will bedescribed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof.Phototransistors being utilized as sensing elements 24 will be activatedby light from source 23 being reflected off solid portions 53 of tag 50and onto the phototransistors aligned therewith. These phototransistorswill send signals to the receiver/transmitter 30 indicating that the tagis properly aligned with respect to the row of phototransistors.

At the same time, light will be reflected from other solid portions 53of the tag onto the other phototransistors aligned with the solidportions. The phototransistors which are aligned with the notches willnot be activated since light will not be reflected onto the surface ofthe phototransistors. When the tag is properly aligned, an odd number ofphototransistors are activated. This may be accomplished by utilizing azero recording phototransistor with other phototransistors in aconventional binary code arrangement.

The deciphering receiver/transmitter 30 having received the signals fromthe appropriate phototransistors identifies a particular animal. Thisinformation is available for interrogation by section 39 of control 35.Interrogating section 39 continuously and sequentially searches thereceiver/transmitter 30 of each feeding station 16 in a rapid sequencedetermined by timing oscillator 31. The receiver/transmitter 30 of eachfeeding station 16 is coded by selector switch 32 to provide foridentification of the receiver/transmitter by the interrogating section39.

When the interrogating section 39 determines that a particular animal isat a specific feeding station, this information is noted by comparingsection 41. To insure that the animal at the feeding station is ready tobe fed rather than simply passing by, the comparing section may wait fora repeat of the signal several or more times before comparing the animalidentification with the feeding schedule and log stored in memorysection 37.

The comparing section 41 then checks the feeding schedule to determineif the animal has received its complete ration for the current timeinterval. If not, the comparing section 41 will send a signal back toreceiver/transmitter 30 to activate relay 33. The relay 33 energizesauger 19 to convey feed material from hopper 18 into trough member 17where it can be consumed by the animal at the trough.

The quantity of feed supplied to the animal is recorded for latertabulation and reporting to the owner. At regular preselected timeintervals or when the owner desires, a log of the feed that has beengiven to each of the animals is delivered for inspection by the owner.This can be accomplished by recording section 42 on a tape or otherrecord reproduction 44.

The control means 35, as pointed out above, may be positioned at alocation remote from the feeding stations. Also, the feeding stations 16may be at locations remote from one another. The various components areconnected to a suitable electrical power source (not shown).

The control means 35 advantageously may be a computer includinginterrogating, memory and comparison sections. A number of differentcomputers are suitable for use with the feeding apparatus of theinvention. The selection of a specific computer may depend upon thefeeding capabilities desired. A particularly useful computer is theRockwell AIM 65 computer and models similar thereto.

The feeding apparatus of the invention may be operated at a variety ofvoltages depending upon the particular sensing elements employed.Advantageously, the feeding system may be operated at 12 volts. In thiscase, the sensing elements may be Fairchild FPT 110-A phototransistorsor equivalent components. Preferably, the sensing elements provide avoltage drop when activated by light to about one-fifth to one-twelfththe original voltage. The FPT 110-A phototransistors provide a voltagedrop from 12 volts to less than about one volt.

The above description and the accompanying drawings show that thepresent invention provides a novel animal feeding apparatus which feedsanimals simply and conveniently. The feeding apparatus of the inventionautomatically delivers feed to animals according to a preselectedfeeding schedule. Further, the feeding apparatus periodically provides arecord of the feed consumed by each animal of a herd.

The programming and recording portions of the feeding apparatus can belocated at points remote from the feeding stations. Furthermore, theprogramming and recording apparatus can collect and corrolate data froma large number of feeding stations at widely spaced locations.

The feeding apparatus of the present invention provides a high degree ofaccuracy and reliability both in detecting an animal waiting to be fedat a feeding station and also in identifying which animal is there.Thus, the records furnished by the feeding apparatus provide an accuratebasis for determining animal productivity.

The animal feeding apparatus of the invention is simple in design andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture. The apparatus can be fabricatedfrom commercially available materials and components. Conventionalmanufacturing techniques can be employed in its fabrication.

The feeding apparatus can be utilized with existing feeding facilitiesas well as being incorporated into new feeding installations. Since theapparatus can be manufactured in a number of subassemblies, it can beinstalled by the rancher or farmer with a minimum of technicalexperience or skills.

It will be apparent that various modifications can be made in theparticular feeding apparatus described in detail above and shown in thedrawings within the scope of the invention. The size, configuration andarrangement of the various components can be changed to meet specificrequirements. For example, different types of sensing elements can beemployed. Also, the alignment and/or spacing of the sensing elements canbe varied. Moreover, different identifying means can be employed on theanimals. In addition, the means for handling the feed can be modified orchanged as desired. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to belimited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Automatic animal feeding apparatus including afeeding portion, a feed supplying portion, and a feed control portion;said feeding portion including a plurality of feeding stations, saidfeed supplying portion including feed storage means for supplying saidfeeding stations, mechanized transfer means capable of selectivelyconveying feed material from said feed storage means to each of saidfeeding stations, said feed control portion including a light source anda plurality of spaced sensing means at each of said feeding stations,said sensing means being capable of being activated by light suppliedfrom said light source, means carried by an animal for diverting lightfrom said light source with respect to said sensing means in apredetermined pattern, said sensing means being capable of transmittingsignals to deciphering means located closely adjacent to said sensingmeans at each feeding station, at least two of said sensing meansdetecting proper orientation of said animal carried means with saidsensing means, an odd number of said sensing means in addition to saidorientation detecting sensing means detecting an identification patternof a particular animal, said deciphering means of said feed controlportion being connected electrically with deciphering means of all otherfeeding stations and with interrogating means, said interrogating meanssequentially searching each of said deciphering means in a continuousrapidly repeating sequence, memory means capable of accepting an animalfeeding schedule, means for comparing signals from said interrogatingmeans with said animal feeding schedule, means for selectivelyactivating said feed transfer means, recording means for compiling a logof quantities of feed material offered to particular animals and thetime periods of such offerings.
 2. Automatic animal feeding apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said interrogating means is connected withone of said deciphering means through a serial port connection with asingle pair of lead wires.
 3. Automatic animal feeding apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said interrogating means is capable ofsearching said deciphering means of each feeding station sequentially atleast once each second.
 4. Automatic animal feeding apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said deciphering means includes an addressableasynchronous receiver/transmitter.
 5. Automatic animal feeding apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includesphototransistors.
 6. Automatic animal feeding apparatus according toclaim 5 wherein said phototransistors are normally shielded from saidlight source.
 7. Automatic animal feeding apparatus according to claim 1wherein said interrogating means, said memory means, said comparingmeans and said recording means are disposed in a unitary structure. 8.Automatic animal feeding apparatus according to claim 7 wherein saidunitary structure includes a computer.
 9. Automatic animal feedingapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means when activatedprovide a voltage drop to between about one-fifth and one-twelfth theoriginal voltage.